Pitti Bimbo 86 to focus on childrenswear research and emerging design talent

The 86th edition of international children's fashion show Pitti Bimbo will be held at the Fortezza da Basso venue in Florence on 18th-20th January 2018. The show's previous winter edition hosted 540 collections, 315 of them from outside Italy, and over 6,700 buyers, for a total of 10,000 visitors.

For the forthcoming edition, foreign buyers are expected to arrive chiefly from Russia, Asia (Hong Kong, China and South Korea above all), the USA and Europe (France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, the UK and Scandinavia), and to include a growing number of representatives from childrenswear e-stores.

The Italian children's fashion industry is growing at a moderate rate according to data published by SMI, the Italian fashion and textile industry association, with exports up 2.9% in the period January-August 2017. The UK and Russia were the leading destinations, while exports to Spain and Germany fell.

Pitti Bimbo 86 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of high-end childrenswear brand Monnalisa, with the show's first evening event on 18th January. Also, Simonetta will present a collection created in collaboration with Vespa, and Elisabetta Franchi La Mia Bambina will showcase two new lines, Newborn (0-18 months) and Baby (6-36 months), as well as a new footwear collection produced and distributed by Andrea Montelpare.

As for the show’s sections, #Activelab will be one of the novelties, focusing on innovation and research in urban and activewear and featuring labels such as Bangbang Copenhagen Aps, Barn of Monkeys, Carlijnq, Duukies Beachsocks, Gardner and the Gang, How to Kiss a Frog, Jborn Kids, Kids on the Moon, Kukukid, Loud Apparel, Lucky no.7, Oji, Tom Joule and Wheat.

The Apartment section will concentrate on luxury childrenswear, KidsFIZZ will host the more creative labels, Fancy Room will feature lifestyle products, from interior design to accessories and tech gadgets, while The Nest will be home to a selection of smaller brands and emerging labels, chosen in collaboration with Berlin concept store Little Pop Up Berlin. Finally, the EcoEthic section will be dedicated to sustainable childrenswear brands using organic and bio materials.

Pitti Bimbo 86 will also present a new project dedicated to the world of childrenswear licenses, set up in collaboration with the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

Finally, on 18th January, the show will present Fashion Comics, featuring a series of mini collections by a selection of emerging fashion designers inspired by the Powerpuff Girls cartoons.